Hello, I'm new to the forum and wanted to join in hope of some help and tips for directions from  experienced buyers regarding my topic. 

So I'm curious if the company just made up some number and tricked us to believe they lowered the value and charged us for the work they didn't do.

So I'm curious if the company just made up some number and tricked us to believe they lowered the value and charged us for the work they didn't do.

Tax records can't be relied upon but is useful info anyway, but is there a trick anyone knows to seek out that lost owner for free, or at least the best deal on a skip tracer?

You've found the right place to pursue your goal of wealth building and financial freedom, check out this blog post on successfully investing in rentals:http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/08/10...Here are a few other tips to help you get the most out of BP:Start here.

Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of BP and kickstart your investing career:Start here.

And Bill, those tips about combining the homeowners and the 1031 are invaluable and probably the route I will take.   

Thanks  @Matthew Paul @Steve Vaughan @Aleemah Spence for the tip!

Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of BP and expand your investor network:Start here.

I am looking forward to using this site to meet other investors and get tips and tricks of the trade.